OT: It's time for Mitch to GO

I’m The Village Idiot

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I think I’m with Mitch. Someone added it up and it will cost an estimated $55M to buy out Stoops, potentially buy out another coach, pay that coach and pay a roster. So that we can go 5-7 with some other schmuck? Keep Stoops and spend that money on men’s basketball.

Everyone on the board wanted “studs” last week and now they wanna spend $55M on a dead end program?
 

bbncal02

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I think I’m with Mitch. Someone added it up and it will cost an estimated $55M to buy out Stoops, potentially buy out another coach, pay that coach and pay a roster. So that we can go 5-7 with some other schmuck? Keep Stoops and spend that money on men’s basketball.

Everyone on the board wanted “studs” last week and now they wanna spend $55M on a dead end program?

You do realize that football generates a TON of money right?
 

I’m The Village Idiot

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You do realize that football generates a TON of money right?
Yes. If the difference isn’t gonna be $55M in revenue, it’s a silly decision. The man we wanted (Sumrall) will be a Gator. Even as bad as Stoops is, we haven’t had anything better in my lifetime. I know people are upset about Louisville/Vandy but we can’t be consistent with saying we don’t want to be behind in NIL and we want all these first options in basketball while also spending $55M to get rid of Stoops. That’s crazy. Mitch sounds like the only person thinking to me.
 

MarvinHagler89

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I think I’m with Mitch. Someone added it up and it will cost an estimated $55M to buy out Stoops, potentially buy out another coach, pay that coach and pay a roster. So that we can go 5-7 with some other schmuck? Keep Stoops and spend that money on men’s basketball.

Everyone on the board wanted “studs” last week and now they wanna spend $55M on a dead end program?
Basketball makes nothing compared to football. I hate to break it to you but when people think about SEC, uk basketball isn’t a thought. I love uk basketball but football overall is the better sport and we are in the best football conference to ever exist. Basketball must come secondary to football. Indiana did just that.
 

I’m The Village Idiot

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Basketball makes nothing compared to football. I hate to break it to you but when people think about SEC, uk basketball isn’t a thought. I love uk basketball but football overall is the better sport and we are in the best football conference to ever exist. Basketball must come secondary to football. Indiana did just that.
Ask me if I GAF how much money football makes. I don’t. No one outside of the state of Ky cares one way or the other about our football program. It’s a fun sport. Basketball is our pride and joy.
 

optimus-blue

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I think I’m with Mitch. Someone added it up and it will cost an estimated $55M to buy out Stoops, potentially buy out another coach, pay that coach and pay a roster. So that we can go 5-7 with some other schmuck? Keep Stoops and spend that money on men’s basketball.

Everyone on the board wanted “studs” last week and now they wanna spend $55M on a dead
Ask me if I GAF how much money football makes. I don’t. No one outside of the state of Ky cares one way or the other about our football program. It’s a fun sport. Basketball is our pride and joy.
College basketball is pretty lowdown on the national interest when compared to football even a mediocre football team draws more interest than Kentucky basketball program in the new landscape. Football schools have more money to spend on basketball than basketball schools can. Only the stupid only want one program to succeed.
 

Goingfor9

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Mitch needs to retire.
Needs to be fired. He’s passing out free cash to his good buddy who had a season vacated. The guys judgement may get us in really deep Kaka of the civil suit goes as expected. Barney and Eli have to go have to go. The place is steeped in no kentuckians making terrible decisions for $$$ and don’t care about winning or fans. He can’t simply be fired
 

I’m The Village Idiot

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If Mitch goes through with something this financially idiotic, it will further confirm to me the man is a lady. Ignore the outrage, Mitch. Give the cash to Pope. 😃
 

Supafuzz75

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I think I’m with Mitch. Someone added it up and it will cost an estimated $55M to buy out Stoops, potentially buy out another coach, pay that coach and pay a roster. So that we can go 5-7 with some other schmuck? Keep Stoops and spend that money on men’s basketball.

Everyone on the board wanted “studs” last week and now they wanna spend $55M on a dead end program?
Not our money.. Do whatever gotta be done..
 

I’m The Village Idiot

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Not our money.. Do whatever gotta be done..
But it could be the men’s BB money. I see the same people begging for $55M coaching change for FB that also complain about our NIL situation and not getting first options. It makes zero financial sense, just wait it out and keep the NIL on the uptick for basketball.
 
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FLBBNFAN

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Basketball makes nothing compared to football. I hate to break it to you but when people think about SEC, uk basketball isn’t a thought. I love uk basketball but football overall is the better sport and we are in the best football conference to ever exist. Basketball must come secondary to football. Indiana did just that.
Football is king for sure and the SEC on average is the best football conference. The 2 contracts that Barnhart did with Stoops and Cal is more than good reason for him to be fired.

Those contracts were the pure definition of incompetence and negligence. The University needs to cut the cord with Mitch and Stoops. In my opinion not terminating them both will end up costing us more than just money in the long run.
 
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Supafuzz75

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But it could be the men’s BB money. I see the same people begging for $55M coaching change for FB that also complain about our NIL situation and not getting first options. It makes zero financial sense, just wait it out and keep the NIL on the uptick for basketball.
If 22 million can't get it done,, don't no what to tell ya then,, lol.. And I'm one those 75/25 bball to football guys..
 

I’m The Village Idiot

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Football is king for sure and the SEC on average is the best football conference. The 2 contracts that Barnhart did with Stoops and Cal is more than good reason for him to be fired.

Those contracts were the pure definition of incompetence and negligence. The University needs to cut the cord with Mitch and Stoops. In my opinion not terminating them both will end up costing us more than just money in the long run.
Terminating Mitch, sure. How would keeping Stoops hurt anything? Who do you see out there that would want to be here and can do better than what Stoops has at Kentucky?
 

Kentucky15

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IMO Those of us who have been screaming he’s an awful AD are vindicated. He’s always been a bad AD. He’s been given insane resources and does not want to compete at a high level. He doesn’t listen to the fans the money or the national media. He’s a tyrant who wants to completely maintain his control and hire guys he can control. That’s why we don’t make a run at real proven great coaches. It’s not that we can’t it’s that he won’t. You can’t control guys like Calipari and he knows that. You can’t control the great ones. But throw enough money at average coaches and they’ll not get involved.

IMO Kentucky has been brainwashed by this guy into thinking nothing can be done. Stop thinking it, it’s not true. We are loaded as is every SEC/BiG program. Look at Indiana look at Vandy. Kentucky has much more power than both in sports. Get the guy out of here or nothing changes.
 

I’m The Village Idiot

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If 22 million can't get it done,, don't no what to tell ya then,, lol.. And I'm one those 75/25 bball to football guys..
You ain’t 75/25 basketball if you’re willing to pay $55M to get rid of the winningest football coach you’ve had in 50 years. And nobody quote me that lazy SEC record BS either coz I’ve already seen all the other coaches we’ve had and their SEC records sucked too.
 

I’m The Village Idiot

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For those on this board who have criticized my 100% basketball takes and said “why we can’t be good at both”? I’ll just point to this scenario as a perfect example of how delusion about our football program is a net negative to our basketball stability going forward. I see a lot of people who want to be the “gold standard” until it means actually following through with it
 

Kentucky15

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Btw, the reason he doesn’t want to do it is because ITS HIS CONTRACT. He’s responsible. He wants to ride until retirement and not be held responsible. He puts himself in front of these programs and always has. Of course he doesn’t want to, he’s on the hook for this mess and we’ve got Pope who could go south. Hopefully not I still think it might work but it adds to this problem.

Hopefully the alumni and BOT are doing this to add pressure for Barnhart to exit. We’ve got to get a younger AD who can work the NIL.

there is a reason the only school in the nation who’s inquired about Mitch was Kansas where he had roots. They looked and said no. Not sure about right now but he was also one of the lowest paid AD’s in the conference. That’s what we’re dealing with
 

Supafuzz75

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You ain’t 75/25 basketball if you’re willing to pay $55M to get rid of the winningest football coach you’ve had in 50 years. And nobody quote me that lazy SEC record BS either coz I’ve already seen all the other coaches we’ve had and their SEC records sucked too.
Its not my money,, whatever gotta be paid needs to be paid..
 

I’m The Village Idiot

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Its not my money,, whatever gotta be paid needs to be paid..
It doesn’t matter whose money it is. There’s only so much money to go around. I’m going to remember the names that demanded this coaching change. When you’re complaining about NIL funds going forward, I’m going to remind you about it, because y’all don’t try to be consistent. I don’t wanna hear a complaint about failure to land first targets if you want to drop insane wads of cash with no return on it.
 

FLBBNFAN

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Terminating Mitch, sure. How would keeping Stoops hurt anything? Who do you see out there that would want to be here and can do better than what Stoops has at Kentucky?
Stoops has run his course and you can easily argue the program is now in decline. Keeping him is basically saying the mediocrity is accepted and rewarded.

If the university was bold and cut ties you may be surprised at who may be available. Not to long ago folks were probably asking why Indiana was even trying to start a new path after decades of futility.
 
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Kentucky15

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For those on this board who have criticized my 100% basketball takes and said “why we can’t be good at both”? I’ll just point to this scenario as a perfect example of how delusion about our football program is a net negative to our basketball stability going forward. I see a lot of people who want to be the “gold standard” until it means actually following through with it

The issue is a lot of Kentucky people have been brainwashed unknowingly. It’s an apathy intentionally created over time. The truth is we can absolutely have both and many do. The problem is our university has turned into a room of foreigners who are only interested in being landlords. That’s my honest opinion. They want a low profile and don’t want to do what it takes to compete at a high level. They don’t want that kind of spotlight because you have to play in gray areas and they don’t want that. They want little attention. They balance it with the expectations and find a center to sit in.

Kentucky can have both but if this is the game they’re going to play you’re right. If you’re not going to do what it takes, then just scrap football. But then you lose a fortune so they won’t do that. They want us filling that stadium and keeping our mouth shut for 6-6/7-5 win seasons. If we go 3-9 hey? It’s Kentucky right? Come anyway.

Indiana and Vanderbilt completely obliterate the idea Kentucky cannot win at a high level. We’re more capable than either of those. Also the idea we don’t have a good NIL isn’t true either. The university is loaded too, so yes it can be done but I don’t believe they want it. Costs too much and it’s work, giving up some power, and spotlight. Mitch is the hatchet man, he knows what he needs to do. I truly believe it.
 

I’m The Village Idiot

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Stoops has run his course and you can easily argue the program is now in decline. Keeping him is basically saying the mediocrity is accepted and rewarded.

If the university was bold and cut ties you may be surprised at who may be available. Not to long ago folks were probably asking why Indiana was even trying to start a new path after decades of futility.
It isn’t just accepted, bro. It’s reality. Wake up —- we are a mediocre at best football program. Again, don’t wanna hear it about NIL going forward if you wanna have the school drop 50 mil coz we are bored and think every team out there just hires Cignetti’s like they grow on trees.
 

Supafuzz75

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It doesn’t matter whose money it is. There’s only so much money to go around. I’m going to remember the names that demanded this coaching change. When you’re complaining about NIL funds going forward, I’m going to remind you about it, because y’all don’t try to be consistent. I don’t wanna hear a complaint about failure to land first targets if you want to drop insane wads of cash with no return on it.
Of course you'd be one of the only Stoopids groupies still left,, lol.. You wanna see how hard UK will get hit money wise? Let Mitch bring him back another year,, commonwealth will be a grave yard next season.. And the 2 juco no name commites will be the crown jewels to next years class..
 

I’m The Village Idiot

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Football delusion will always hold us back. We are the next Ohio State guys, you just wait. All it takes is hire a HOF coach that no one wants and all of a sudden everyone in Ky is going to start paying $35M a year in endorsement deals because we care that much about football. FOH
 
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FLBBNFAN

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It doesn’t matter whose money it is. There’s only so much money to go around. I’m going to remember the names that demanded this coaching change. When you’re complaining about NIL funds going forward, I’m going to remind you about it, because y’all don’t try to be consistent. I don’t wanna hear a complaint about failure to land first targets if you want to drop insane wads of cash with no return on it.
If UK plays hardball they can probably reduce Stoops buyout and the balance can probably be paid out over a period of time. Deals are restructured all the time.

Our athletic department is antiquated on how it operates . With NIL we need some people who know how to negotiate deals , raise funds and operate as a GM . We basically are a professional franchise now and need structured as one. Just my two cents.
 

NociHTTP

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Basketball makes nothing compared to football. I hate to break it to you but when people think about SEC, uk basketball isn’t a thought. I love uk basketball but football overall is the better sport and we are in the best football conference to ever exist. Basketball must come secondary to football. Indiana did just that.
Football is not the "better sport". It's the only sport that allows drunks, masquerading as fans of a sport that half of them don't know anything about, to drink at the site of the competition.
 

Smeegs

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Nov 19, 2025
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Aside from the awful contracts, I’d kinda like to see him go just because he’s been here for too long. 23 years with this guy as the boss of UK Sports is long enough. I wanna see how someone else would do in that chair. Time for a fresh new era with a new captain of the ship.

Plus I still haven’t forgiven him for jamming those unwanted checkerboards down our throat for so many years.
 

ChicagoCat90

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I think I’m with Mitch. Someone added it up and it will cost an estimated $55M to buy out Stoops, potentially buy out another coach, pay that coach and pay a roster. So that we can go 5-7 with some other schmuck? Keep Stoops and spend that money on men’s basketball.

Everyone on the board wanted “studs” last week and now they wanna spend $55M on a dead end program?
This is the best argument for why MB needs to be fired. You can't run an athletic department of a major university and trap yourself with the only two options of continuing to suck or go broke paying a ridiculous buyout that leaves you no budget to be competitive.
 

ChicagoCat90

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Football delusion will always hold us back. We are the next Ohio State guys, you just wait. All it takes is hire a HOF coach that no one wants and all of a sudden everyone in Ky is going to start paying $35M a year in endorsement deals because we care that much about football. FOH
I think realistically most of us know we'll never be OSU or Bama or the likes. The local talent just isn't enough to build a consistent powerhouse. But we do expect to put a competitive team together that's worth paying to go see. I wouldn't even force my worst enemy to go endure a live game with the current product we're putting out.
 

I’m The Village Idiot

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This is the best argument for why MB needs to be fired. You can't run an athletic department of a major university and trap yourself with the only two options of continuing to suck or go broke paying a ridiculous buyout that leaves you no budget to be competitive.
I 100% agree. Don’t know why we can’t just fire Mitch and keep Stoops until that buyout gets reasonable
 

FLBBNFAN

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It isn’t just accepted, bro. It’s reality. Wake up —- we are a mediocre at best football program. Again, don’t wanna hear it about NIL going forward if you wanna have the school drop 50 mil coz we are bored and think every team out there just hires Cignetti’s like they grow on trees.

Your attitude is why businesses fail or why businesses dont rebound after being knocked down. You have just quit on the football program because its too hard and we should just accept our role as lovable losers on the football field.

A aggressive move may actually energize the fanbase and increase the NIL. As I stated before deals are restructured all the time and businesses overcome deficits with a good plan and some courage .
 
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I’m The Village Idiot

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Your attitude is why businesses fail or why businesses dont rebound after being knocked down. You have just quit on the football program because its too hard and we should just accept our role as lovable losers on the football field.

A aggressive move may actually energize the fanbase and increase the NIL. As I stated before deals are restructured all the time and businesses overcome deficits with a good plan and some courage .
Bro, I have never gave up on ****. Haven’t missed a damn football game since 2002. I just stand ten toes down in the real world. Rant over coz there ain’t a damn thing I can do about this stuff. I’ll leave the fantasies to the rest. But best you bet I will be bringing this back up when I hear posters complaining about NIL or not getting first targets. I’ve always believed you should say what you mean and mean what you say.
 

UKCowboys

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I think I’m with Mitch. Someone added it up and it will cost an estimated $55M to buy out Stoops, potentially buy out another coach, pay that coach and pay a roster. So that we can go 5-7 with some other schmuck? Keep Stoops and spend that money on men’s basketball.

Everyone on the board wanted “studs” last week and now they wanna spend $55M on a dead end program?
Exactly right.
Instead of wasting $60/70M, spend more money getting talent in here. Stoops cam win games when the talent is comparable. We finished exactly where our talent lined up this year. Who had less talent in the SEC this season than we did?